Why Oklahoma is shaped the way it is? Part 2 – The Panhandle
One of the most unique features of the shape of our State is known as the Panhandle. The Panhandle of Oklahoma has its own history somewhat separate from the rest of the State.
In Part 1 of this series “The South and West Borders” we learned how the western boundary of the main body of Oklahoma was created. Well quite simply, that (western border) line is the eastern border of the Panhandle. It was part of what was then Texas. To learn about the southern boundary of the Panhandle we must talk about the Northern boundary of Texas.
When Texas was admitted to the Union in 1845, its Northern border was established as 36 degrees and 30 minutes north latitude from 100 degrees west longitude to 103 degrees west longitude. However, when the South Line of Kansas was created in by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 it was established at 37 degrees north latitude thus leaving a one-half degree (30 minutes of latitude) strip of land from the western boundary of the main body of Oklahoma all the way over to the eastern boundary of the State of New Mexico. This area was recognized by the treaties but was not considered part of any of the states. It was first referred to as The Public Land Strip then later was known as No Mans Land and The Neutral Strip.
To learn how the Panhandle’s location was influenced by the slavery issue, read more on the Missouri Compromise of 1820.
Although there were several problems with the surveys which attempted to locate theses lines on the ground, the boundaries of the Public Land Strip were established. But, remember, it is not yet part of Oklahoma.
Cattlemen and settlers started moving into the area and soon it became known simply as Cimarron Territory. The area was not officially recognized by Congress until the Organic Act of 1890 assigned it to the new Oklahoma Territory thus ending the Cimarron Territory. Both of the areas were then admitted to the union in 1907 creating the State of Oklahoma.
In Part 1 of this series “The South and West Borders” we learned how the western boundary of the main body of Oklahoma was created. Well quite simply, that (western border) line is the eastern border of the Panhandle. It was part of what was then Texas. To learn about the southern boundary of the Panhandle we must talk about the Northern boundary of Texas.
When Texas was admitted to the Union in 1845, its Northern border was established as 36 degrees and 30 minutes north latitude from 100 degrees west longitude to 103 degrees west longitude. However, when the South Line of Kansas was created in by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 it was established at 37 degrees north latitude thus leaving a one-half degree (30 minutes of latitude) strip of land from the western boundary of the main body of Oklahoma all the way over to the eastern boundary of the State of New Mexico. This area was recognized by the treaties but was not considered part of any of the states. It was first referred to as The Public Land Strip then later was known as No Mans Land and The Neutral Strip.
To learn how the Panhandle’s location was influenced by the slavery issue, read more on the Missouri Compromise of 1820.
Although there were several problems with the surveys which attempted to locate theses lines on the ground, the boundaries of the Public Land Strip were established. But, remember, it is not yet part of Oklahoma.
Cattlemen and settlers started moving into the area and soon it became known simply as Cimarron Territory. The area was not officially recognized by Congress until the Organic Act of 1890 assigned it to the new Oklahoma Territory thus ending the Cimarron Territory. Both of the areas were then admitted to the union in 1907 creating the State of Oklahoma.
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